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SECTION II Natural Resources Revolving Fund Plan City of Lino Lakes WSB Project No. 2988-470 Page 3 II. Site Identification A. Site-Specific Objectives Several site-specific objectives were identified which each of the identified sites were weighed against. These objectives were used to assist in finding priority bank sites throughout the city. These site-specific objectives are discussed below. Part of the Greenway System As discussed in Section I, the City has identified the development of a system that connects current and proposed trails in the City and Rice Creek Regional Park in a manner that preserves and sustains the natural environment. The City has developed a Greenway System that consists of lands set aside for preservation of natural resources, remnant landscapes, open space, and visual aesthetics/buffering (Figure 3). The Greenway System also includes areas within the City’s Wetland Preservation Corridor (Figure 4), which includes high priority wetlands with variable width buffer areas, selected marginally-suitable development areas, and the 100-year floodplain. Locating potential wetland bank sites within the Greenway System furthers the City’s goals in this area. Be Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)-Approved Eligible Wetlands in the City are regulated by a variety of agencies: local governments (Rice Creek Watershed District [RCWD] and Vadnais Lake Area WMO), State (Department of Natural Resources [DNR]), and the Federal Government (US Army Corps of Engineers [ACOE]). When wetland impacts occur, they must be mitigated either onsite, or by purchasing credits through a wetland bank. Due to size restrictions, not all wetland banks are certified by the ACOE. Wetland banks must contain a minimum of five credits to be certified by the ACOE. Credits are determined by the type of activity that is proposed to be completed within the wetland bank area, but a wetland bank that is ACOE-approved will be a minimum of five acres in size and likely larger. Projects that require permits through the ACOE also require mitigation through ACOE-approved banks. Establishing a wetland bank that is ACOE-eligible typically results in a larger, higher quality wetland and is more desirable from an economic development standpoint because it can be used by more projects. High & Medium Quality Restoration Potential The City completed a city-wide Minnesota Routine Assessment Method (MnRAM) wetland assessment. The MnRAM data were used to identify the functional value of the wetlands in the City, create development management strategies for the wetlands based on their functional value, and identify wetlands that could be potentially restored. Data that went into determining the restoration potential included hydraulic restoration potential (without flooding), number of landowners involved/affected, potential size and type of wetland to be restored, size of potential upland buffer area, relative ease of restoration, type of hydrologic alteration present, and the susceptibility of the wetland area to stormwater and/or nutrient loading. The resulting potential for restoration was categorized as High, Medium, or Low. Potential wetland bank sites located in areas rated as High or Medium for restoration potential would indicate a higher probability of the restoration being successful. Land Ownership/Willingness of Landowners Land already owned by the City is ideal for locating potential wetland bank sites. However, the potential to purchase private lands or create partnerships with private landowners is also an option.